If the average First Century Roman was even aware that Britain existed, they would have laughed to think that it would one day rule a world empire that would make their own small by comparison. But like the mighty Roman Empire, the British Empire is no more. Add to these The Assyrian, the Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, and the Greek Empires, and we see a common trend: Empires rise, and empires fall.
From their inception, empires believe that their expansionist policies are good for everybody concerned. This justifies the enslavement of all who surrender and the ruthless culling of all who dissent.
Unsurprisingly, the motive that inspires a campaign of murder, theft, and savagery, is the same that ends it—Overweening Pride!
A man does not have to conquer nations to rule over his own empire. It is a marvel of human ingenuity that a man can rule from the loftiest throne set in his own imagination.
The Christian eschews pride—real or imagined. He seeks the rulership of Christ as he settles into Kingdom ways.
God’s grace is rich with blessings. God gives grace to the humble and promises that the meek will inherit the earth. Thus, when a man listens to God, he will be lifted to a place of honour in the sight of God and the church. Jesus promised:
“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more” (Lk.8:18).
But what of the brother who stops listening and begins to believe that the blessings are of his own making? Jesus goes on to warn:
“Whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
The problem of this man, of course, is that he “thinks” he has what it takes to have a standing with God, but he has long since fallen.
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
John Staiger
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